Dodd to lead New Zealand A

Anna Dodd, who was unavailable for New Zealand's tour to India, has been appointed captain for New Zealand A's matches against New Zealand and the Australia Youth team.

New Zealand international Katey Martin is the vice-captain, while two other internationals, Beth McNeill and Ros Kember, are also part of the A squad. While McNeill, a right-arm medium bowler for Canterbury, has taken 10 wickets in her 10 ODIs, Kember, an Auckland batsman, has only played two ODIs.

Rachel Priest, the Central Districts wicketkeeper, and Lucy Doolan, the Wellington batsman, will be playing their first A team matches.

The team is scheduled to play two 50-over matches and a Twenty20 game against New Zealand between February 6 and 9 at Lincoln before New Zealand travel to India for a four-nation series on February 14. The A team will then play three matches against the Australian Youth side between February 13 and 16 at the same venue.

Gary Stead, who played five Tests for New Zealand in 1999, will coach the side assisted by former New Zealand player Katrina Keenan and Canterbury coach Kirsty Bond.